Renters go out on a limb with Airbn-treehouse
As the city grapples with an affordable housing crisis and the impact of shortterm rentals like those offered on Airbnb, uncertainty remains for those who want to share their homes with travellers.
Others, in the absence of regulations, are finding more creative ways of earning a little profit on their property.
“Looking for a quick getaway this summer but can’t afford a Muskoka cottage rental? Coming to Toronto and looking to stay somewhere unique? We invite you to stay in our charming treehouse bunkie in our gorgeous backyard in the Beach,” read the Airbnb listing that has since been removed. But vacationers are still welcome to the tree house, which is still listed on Airbnb competitor VRBO.
Pictures of, as one satisfied guest described it, the “small cabin on the second floor of a tree,” show the 8-by-9-foot space propped up on stilts in a leafy backyard. A ladder through a hatch leads to a blue door that opens onto an unfinished interior featuring a double bed, mini fridge, a fan, Wi-Fi and little else.
The listing also features an outhouse and an outdoor wooden shower stall (“It’s a small water heater so showers are warm, but brief!”). There is no sink.
“Guests must be aware that the tree house was originally designed for children and so cannot accommodate very large body types. Also, you’ll be going up and down a ladder — proceed at your own risk,” the original listing warned. Cost: $70 per night. Although the rental received rave reviews from the 32 people who have stayed there, the city says the tree house appears to be breaking the city’s property standards bylaw.
Mark Sraga, director of investigations with the city’s licensing division, reviewed photos from the listing sent by the Star.
“Based upon this information, I would have to say the use of this structure for a residential use — whether for short-term rental or not — would not comply with the city’s bylaws,” Sraga wrote in an email.
“For instance, under the city’s property standards bylaw, this structure would not comply with the minimum occupancy standards along with other applicable standards such as stairs, guards and washrooms,” he said. He also noted the structure would require proper permits from Toronto Building.
Mario Angelucci, the city’s deputy chief building official, said the city “will be inspecting the location to determine if the buildings meet all of the city’s regulations and have the required permits.”
“Minimum occupancy standards” include what the city defines as a “habitable” room. Those standards say a room shared by two people for sleeping should be a minimum of four square metres for each person.
The hosts, Joe Darragh and his partner, Marta, told the Star that the listing was removed when they contacted Airbnb after a Star reporter requested an interview.
The couple say they are currently investigating how to comply with city rules retroactively to have the tree house relisted on Airbnb.
“To be honest with you, I’m not sure if we’re breaking any bylaws,” Darragh said, adding it seems to be a “grey area” when it comes to the size and use of the tree house or whether any permits are required.
“However, having said that, it seems like one should.”
An Airbnb spokesperson, Lindsey Scully, said the listing, posted last summer, was immediately removed when it was brought to Airbnb’s attention “as it did not comply with our standards and expectations.”
“When hosts sign up on Airbnb, they must certify that they will comply with local rules before they list their space. We also have a hosting responsibilities page that reminds people to check their local laws and regulations and includes additional information and resources,” she wrote in an email.
Darragh originally built the tree house in the Edgewood Ave. backyard, near Queen St. E. and Woodbine Ave., for his kids.
“It basically took the whole summer of 2015. The kids used it literally a handful of times that summer,” he said laughing. “I was kind of bitter about that.”
When his mother said the tree house looked nice enough to rent out, a light bulb went on and they decided to list it online.
They’ve now consulted an architectural technologist who is speaking with city officials, Darragh said.
He confirmed the outhouse is a true outhouse that is pumped out annually by a septic company. He said he does not know if there are city rules about outhouses in backyards. He described the shower as like “hooking up a garden hose,” but that they are now looking into whether it’s an issue.
Before it was removed, Airbnb users wrote glowingly of the tree house. The same guest who described it as a “cabin” had a special experience.
“I proposed here! It was magical,” wrote the user, Gregory.
Others noted the space, which is not insulated, was too hot or too cold at times. “Chillier inside than I expected!” Amber wrote in October.
The hosts say they were booking the rental a minimum 15 days out of the month last summer.
“I don’t think we had one unsatisfied client,” said Marta, who declined to give her last name, noting many were couples in their 20s on a budget. “It’s so novel for them. It’s very Instagram-friendly.”
At least 11 boat rentals were available in and around the Toronto harbour as of May, ranging from $125 to $1,052 per night. Available postings from around the world include a “1920s sheep wagon” in Wyoming ($176 per night), an “Afghani yurt” in Germany ($61) and a “safari tree house” in South Africa ($148).
A report on regulations for shortterm rentals is expected at the city’s executive committee in June.